Take the risk… Try something new

I have made some pretty bold and scary goals for myself this year. One being starting a healthy living blog and the second being training for Triathlon. At such a high-level, both are extrememly intimidating and overwhelming.

A willingness to take risks is ingrained in my approach to life… but it doesn’t make the action of taking risks any less scary!

I am shifting from simply living a healthy lifestyle to documenting it in a way that is helpful and inspiring; and for Triathlon, I am shifting from just running to also swimming and cycling

Do something scary. Take a risk and try something you suck at, or something you’ve been avoiding.

Posted by allisonloosley

Cycling in the Winter

I haven’t been out on my bike much this winter… mainly due to frosty roads and a busy schedule.

In the winter months, it is key to leave yourself enough time to set off late in the morning (when it warms up and the frost clears away). I clearly got too comfortable with all the warm long days the UK Summer and Autumn have to offer… as a result, I didn’t give myself enough time in the day to fit both a bike ride in the morning and something social in the afternoon.

Clear your schedule – enjoy the sleep in – and plan something social for the evenings instead!

Yesterday, Dan and I got away for a nice ride and ended up at Gail’s Artisan Bakery in St. John’s Wood. We had a lovely croissant and espresso just before heading home — a perfect start to getting back in the habit of cycling on the weekends.

Role on next weekend!

Posted by allisonloosley

Time to get back into the swing of things

It’s January 3rd.. about that time to get back into the swing of things. The holidays are over, and a new working week approaches (the sad truth!).

Let’s get outside and start breaking all the bad habits we so happily took on board over the holidays.

Remember that feeling you get when you’re out on a run… the fresh air, the mind space… and then the feeling of accomplishment when your workout is finished… Something that over indulging in turkey, sweets and mulled wine doesn’t necessarily offer!

Now is the time. Join me and start the process of finding your healthy routine again.

Posted by allisonloosley

Goal Setting

I have a lot of exciting goals this year — I honestly can’t even wait to start working towards each and every one of them. I’m listing them here to make myself accountable and to remind myself why I set these goals in the first place. When I get in the thick of things, I’ll reference this post to keep myself focused and energized.

Here they are…

Posted by allisonloosley

Why I disagree with the notion of setting a New Year’s resolution

I am a true believer in setting goals… But I’m not a big fan of setting only one goal for an entire year… Why? Well, they are harder to track and easier to let things slip. The notion of a New Years resolution is amazing and I’m all for it in a sense, but it’s difficult to set a realistic goal that is achievable yet still challenging and have it last for an entire year.

So what’s my approach? Check out these five simple steps to setting and executing your goals:

Posted by allisonloosley

Finding balance during the holidays

At this time of year, it is tough to keep motivated. December is a month of Christmas perparation and celebration, dark mornings/ evenings, cold weather and social events gallor! A fun time of year, but a difficult one to keep on top of your healthy habits.

I have come to terms with the fact that you simply can’t do EVERYTHING… goals need to be adjusted and expectations reset. My training has been cut down and shifted around social events, healthy eating has been a ‘best endvours’ type of approach (no use setting unrealistic goals and feeling guilty all month!) and as for the cold dark days… well, that is something you simply can’t dwell on as it is out of our control.

I hope everyone has been able to find their balance – it can certainly feel like a struggle, but placing effort on finding this balance makes all of the difference during the holidays.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy your holidays and remember — from today onwards, the days start to get longer again!

Posted by allisonloosley

Green Gable of the Lake District

If you live in the U.K. or plan to visit, make sure you get to the Lake District. It is such a beautiful part of this country and should be experienced AT LEAST once.

My friend Kelly took a group of us for a hike in the Lakes last year and I can’t wait to go back. We hiked up Green Gable and swam in the tarn pictured above. It was a 6hr hike of stunning country side scenery. I love the piece and quiet an activity like this offers — you can truly appreciate yourself and your surroundings.

Posted by allisonloosley

Buddy Up

No matter what your fitness goals are finding someone to train with can make all the difference.

Buddy up and challenge each other!

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Learning to Swim

Welp. I have been swimming for 5 months now and have seen such a huge improvement since I began… I mean that isn’t too surprising considering my first time doing lengths in a 25m pool consisted of 2 laps and a minute of rest before going at it again. I was uncomfortable and stiff, and I totally didn’t understand why anyone would put themselves through such an activity time and time again.

I’ve made an effort swimming once a week and have finally gotten comfortable and more relaxed in the pool. I’m not swimming fast or far but at least I am enjoying it. Committing to a Triathlon in 2015 seems less impossible than it did 5 months ago.

Posted by allisonloosley

Explore new running routes

When I was training for the 2013 Edinburgh Marathon, I made the mistake of doing the same running route over and over and over and over again. I didn’t notice how boring it was at the time, but thinking back it is absolutely mind melting. I found too much comfort in knowing what hill to expect next, when I was going to have a down-hill break, and how long it would take me to get home already! This type of comfort does not pay off in the long run — it can lead to injury, it can be a major mental barrier when you do venture out of that usual route, and eventually you’ll get bored of it — or you’ll get bored of running.

Try different running routes — no matter how far the distance — and keep it interesting.

Yesterday I planned to go for an easy run… being based in South Hampstead, I usually run to and around Regents Park… It is a convenient loop that starts and finishes at my doorstep. Instead of doing ‘the usual’ – yesterday I took the Overground to Richmond for my run. It was such a nice change running in an unknown area and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Posted by allisonloosley

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